Homes evacuated in Friesland town after failed ATM bombing

A dozen homes in the Friesland town of Haulerwijk were evacuated early on Monday morning. A dangerous explosive was left in an ATM on Oosterwoldseweg after a failed attempt to blow the machine open to steal the cash inside, the Friesland police said on Twitter.

The police announced the evacuation around 4:00 a.m. The area around the ATM was closed down to the public, and surrounding homes were evacuated. Emergency services responded to the scene en masse. Photos show a fire truck, an ambulance and police at the scene. Just after 8:00 a.m., the police announced that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team removed the explosive from the ATM and is examining how to make it stable for transport.

A police spokesperson told newspaper AD that the attempted ATM bombing happened around 3:00 a.m. Witnesses saw a dark colored Audi station wagon speed away from the scene. The perpetrators are still at large and the police are looking for witnesses.

Evacuated residents were given shelter in residential care center Sinneheim, according to the police. Concerned relatives can contact the evacuees there.